Charleston, WV - After serving nearly a year as Acting Senate President, West Virginia State Senator Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall) is elected Senate President.
Senate Democrats caucused Monday afternoon to nominate the party’s candidate for Senate President. Senator Kessler won the nomination by a 17 - 11 vote. He was later elected on the Senate floor by a 28 - 5 vote.
“I have proven my ability to preside over the Senate for the past year,” says Kessler. “We have done good work under difficult, historic circumstances.”
Senator Kessler was elected Acting President last year when Earl Ray Tomblin began acting as Governor.
“Under my leadership, the Senate passed the majority of the Governor’s agenda including the eventual phase out of the food tax,” says Kessler. “We are poised to do great things in this State, and as Senate President, I will continue working to move West Virginia forward.”
The Governor called lawmakers into a special session Sunday to certify election results from the October 4, 2011 special gubernatorial election.